Trump urges Zelensky to find new negotiator for Ukraine peace talks
President Donald Trump said on October 19, 2026, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should select a different negotiator to pursue a peace settlement with Russia as the former president headed to a campaign rally in Kansas.
Trump told reporters that Zelensky “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and that the war could have been resolved long ago if Zelensky had listened to his advice. He added, “It’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.” The comments came after Zelensky accused Trump of being on the “wrong side of history” regarding Washington’s approach to peace talks.
In defending his stance, Trump highlighted his decision to strike a diesel deal with Russia and to ease sanctions on Moscow, saying he was trying to secure a “hostage” and that the United States had a positive relationship with both Russia and Iran. He noted that Russia had done “nothing … that we can see” in Iran, portraying the situation as advantageous for U.S. negotiations.
The president also reiterated his willingness to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said he would consider meeting Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, describing the potential trilateral summit as an opportunity to discuss nuclear weapons, denuclearization and trade. Trump downplayed speculation about the meeting and said he would do “anything … to end the war, whether somebody’s there or not.” He indicated that a separate sit‑down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was unlikely.
Trump’s remarks placed additional pressure on Zelensky, whom he accused of not helping to stop the war and of being unwilling to end the conflict. The former president emphasized that his priority was to prevent further loss of life, stating, “I want to see people not die.”
The statements arrive amid ongoing criticism of Trump’s broader Russia policy and his attempts to reshape U.S. sanctions. Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that his approach could appear to side with President Putin, while others argue that diplomatic flexibility may help bring an end to the fighting.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the next steps for U.S. involvement remain uncertain, with eyes on any forthcoming diplomatic engagements between Washington, Moscow and Beijing.
